Hitting a pedestrian in Doral, Florida can evoke extreme stress and fear in drivers because of the fear of what legal consequences could follow. Not to mention financial liability for the injured pedestrian’s medical bills and lost wages. Since Florida is a no-fault state, you might not have to worry about being sued but the possibility still exists if the pedestrian suffered severe injuries. Protecting yourself after a Florida pedestrian accident is paramount. Talk to a Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorney about your legal options.
Most Common Florida Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Being aware of the variety of injuries that can happen from a pedestrian accident can be helpful when you are assessing the scene after the accident. Pedestrian injuries tend to be more severe depending on how fast the driver was traveling due to the fact that pedestrians are completely exposed to the outside world. Some of the most common Florida pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Head trauma
- Neck injuries
- Chest and stomach injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Leg and arm injuries
Head trauma usually involves loss of consciousness, concussion symptoms, and traumatic brain injuries in the worst of cases. Neck injuries range from mild whiplash to a broken neck, an injury that requires emergency medical care. Always be cautious about moving an injured pedestrian with neck, head, or back pain. This could worsen the injury and make you liable, so the best thing to do is to not move the pedestrian until paramedics arrive.
Chest and stomach injuries often involve internal organ ruptures and rib fractures that can make breathing difficult. If the pedestrian appears to be struggling to breathe, this might be why. Since the leg and arms tend to be hit with an abrupt force, pedestrians commonly experience bone fractures or soft tissue injuries in their arms and legs.
What to Do After a Florida Pedestrian Accident
The most common reaction from drivers after a Florida pedestrian accident is to panic, but panicking can make things worse and lead to fatal mistakes. Do not move the pedestrian if there is a strong risk of worsening their injuries. Instead, stand in front of the pedestrian or put up some kind of sign to redirect oncoming traffic. Bury your feelings of guilt for the time being and never apologize because this could bring up liability issues.
Call 911, take pictures of any dents in your car along with any of your injuries and write down the pedestrian’s contact information. Write down your recollection of what happened leading up to the accident. Stress can make memories fade fast. Many of these steps are similar to Florida car accident steps.
Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorney
The aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming. Call Piedra Law Injury Attorneys today at (855) 881-4878 to speak with a Doral Auto Accident Lawyer for a free consultation. Our team of Florida personal injury attorneys can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Our firm helps clients in Miami, Dade County, Broward County, Hialeah, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, North Miami, Sunrise, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Doral, Kendall, and Homestead, Florida.
